BACK TO BASICS

Back from Kolkata after a leisure trip. It was a spur-of-the-moment travel without fixed itinerary on an open ticket that really packed in a lot of fun and joy with family and friends.
The laid back life style which Kolkata still manages to portray is a welcome change from the rat race environment we have unwittingly adopted.
You can still see people playing carom on the pavement under a bright light energized by electricity ‘stolen’ from the nearest lamp post and another group busy playing cards squatting under some tree around the bend of a busy junction. The ‘adda’ with famous earthen cups of tea remain familiar land mark in most localities. The chaos at Kalighat mandir continues. The dilapidated dirty looking Ambassador taxis ply (though with fewer Sardarjis) at their rattling best. The buses remain filthy and dented. The autos though, have got a face lift – thanks to strict implementation of emission norms to reduce carbon footprint.
An important discovery is you can spot sparrows in the city!! This validates the ‘human element’ that still exists in Kolkata.
Personal high point was gorging on the endless variety of fish lovingly cooked by loved ones.
Certainly a rejuvenating trip in spite of the hot and sticky summer time day temperature!! The illusion of day to day life being 'on hold' relative to other metros is very refreshing.